Lee Reads Books: SIEGE AND STORM (GRISHA VERSE #2) BY LEIGH BARDUGO REVIEW

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Release Date: June 4th 2013
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback and Audiobook
Pages: 435
Buy it: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

This book was delightfully dark sequel to Shadow and Bone – not only because the Darkling's powers have grown immensely – but for the internal struggles that Alina faces with her power, love life and what is right from wrong. While I did enjoy this book, I felt that it lacked plot. At the start it was thrilling and filled with new information, but towards the middle it felt as if the story was dragged on for ages. It felt like we were just waiting and waiting and Mal was just getting more irritating. It was not until the last 30-50 pages that things started to pick up again.
Honestly I just hated the parts of the book without the Darkling. He is maybe one of my favorite villains because he is so complex. I know he is the bad guy, but I still find myself falling for him. This is how toxic relationships are formed. All I can really say is that Alina was such a bad ass in this book. She truly learned to become a leader in this book and it shows. She took the advice from her peers – like Strurmhond <3– and became the Grisha she was meant to be with her powers. Sturmhond reminds me a lot of Jace from the Mortal Instruments and I am here for it. His confidence, attitude and sly comments were sometimes the only thing keeping me going while reading the middle of this book.
I am excited to continue on and read Ruin and Rising. It seems like Bardugo's writing has only gotten better and I am sure she will continue to grow. This book gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me!